Disclaimer: I do not own KWMS or P&P...

And presenting...

Chapter 21


Six in the morning, instead of sunlight, the day began with dark heavy rain clouds covering the sky, cold winds blowing the trees and, of course, rain. Not many people would like to go out of their homes in a weather like this, particularly because of damp roads and muddy sidewalks or whatever their reasons. And like those many people in their cozy homes, the Ayuzawa sisters were in their home, yet.

Misaki was in the dining room sorting letters, and as she saw Suzuna enter, she gave the sole letter for her from a professor she was attending. "This must be a reply from what I have sent two days ago," Suzuna said. She browsed through it, and as soon as she finished, quickly left her sister.

Misaki could only watch her in silence; she was in no mood to speak something unnecessary. Most of the letters she received were from her and Emile's friends, acquaintances and some unexpected people, most notably Lady Everglott, all expressing joy of their impending marriage. As she piled them, Suzuna rushed towards her, and was dressed up for an outing. Before Misaki could say anything, Suzuna asked, "Why are you sorting those letters?"

True enough, Misaki was separating the letters; a pile of papers on her right and three unopened envelopes on her left.

"But before that," Misaki said, "Where are you going?"

"My professor has asked me to work at a newly-founded hospital in London for a week. He said that I could go back tomorrow for your wedding, provided that I return immediately. He also told me that I could take that job when I finish school," Suzuna said.

Misaki asked, "Did you know who founded the hospital?"

"Around five doctors, including a baron or some lord who handles the financial matters, and two of our school's professor including mine," Suzuna replied.

"I see."

"Don't worry. I'll be back tomorrow evening," Suzuna said, "And those letters?"

"I am separating those letters of congratulations of my engagement from the letters of business," Misaki said.

"Those unopened envelopes, I presume?"

"Yes."

"And what are you going to do with that pile?" Suzuna said as Misaki picked up the pile of papers. Misaki walked towards the hearth and threw them in the fire. Then, she turned to Suzuna, smiled and said, "Putting them into good use."

-0-

Misaki accompanied Suzuna to the train station despite the weather. As soon as the train left, Misaki went home to read the letters which she left at the dining table. After reading those, she kept them in her room, and then she noticed a note in her desk. It was from her sister, reminding her that she was to go to the tailor to get her wedding dress.

She thought of getting it tomorrow, and then she noticed a post script: "Make sure to get it NOW, or else. I'll know if you don't."

Misaki sighed. She would have been happy to go out for some exercise, but not on a damp weather. 'Probably the rain will be heavier when noon comes,' she thought.

It turned out that she was right after all, but she did go out, for in the afternoon, she made an appointment with a certain gentleman.

-0-

After lunch, Misaki proceeded to her errand and obtained her dress. Instead of hurrying home, she strolled at the streets of the town, thinking deeply of what it is to occur the day after tomorrow. She thought of her sister and her future, now that she will share the light from the Lady with the Lamp. She thought of her situation, her "little" secret, and as well as her parents and imagined a life if they were still alive. All these reveries came to a stop as she spotted a man standing in front of her house, staring at it.

The man was tall and robust and a bit muscular, has a fair skin and black hair with a tinge of brown. He wore a black overcoat, black pants and shoes. He was drenched for he was not wearing a hat, despite that he was eagerly looking at the empty house of the Ayuzawa sisters, as if expecting that someone would let him in.

Of course, it would not happen, for the owners were away, that is, the eldest was a few yards away from him.

"It is not every day that I can meet an idiot soaking himself with this strong rain," Misaki called out.

The man, sensing that the call was referring to him, turned towards the direction of the voice, (and by which Misaki can see his full face, which had deep sapphire eyes and a thin beard in his jawline)which he said in reply, "I am sorry, I forgot to bring my hat. It is not raining back at my home."

"But still, rain or shine, one must bring it for preparation. Even little children knew that," Misaki replied as she approached the soaked gentleman.

"You haven't quite change, Misa," the man said, "Still using those harsh words. Is that the kind of welcome I ought to receive?"

"Yes, because you quite deserve them," Misaki answered, "And you are quite early with our appointment, Baron Mikhail Patel." Misaki bowed as well as her visitor.

"Have you obtained it all?" Misaki asked.

The baron replied as he placed his right hand on his left chest, "All of them are in my breast pocket at this moment."

"Good. Now, shall we go inside and discuss the matter?"

They entered the house, chatting gleefully. Perhaps they were too preoccupied on their conversation that they did not notice the presence of another person spying on them.

-0-

"It is quite long since I visited here," Baron Patel said. "This place still hasn't change a bit."

"Yes," Misaki said, "It's almost four years ago since you came here, and it wasn't a very good meeting."

"Agreed. By the way, where is Suzuna?" he asked.

"What a stupid question. You should have known where she is," Misaki answered.

"Come on, I'm just teasing you," he replied as he sat down on a couch in the parlour.

"I'm making us drinks," Misaki said, "Would you like some tea?"

"Now you're teasing me, Misa, you know I detest tea," Baron Patel said.

Misaki giggled and said, "Oh yes, you prefer coffee over tea. Then, I'll be leaving you here for a moment."

Baron Patel was left with nothing to do. He does not feel doing anything but to dry himself by the fire, and other than that, he simply enjoys the moment of being alone. Like all great men did, he spent his time thinking of what had happened in the past, and what would happen in the future, and especially of a woman he would like to see again.

Misaki returned after a few minutes, and saw her guest's hands too near the fire. So she called him out, "Soaking yourself might be tolerable, but burning yourself is completely ridiculous."

"Then again, I apologize for making you worry," he replied.

"And I apologize for interrupting your daydreaming," Misaki said as she passed him his cup of coffee, "You were thinking about her, were you not?"he simply nodded.

"But you've kept on seeing her, so what should be the problem?"

"Come on, Misa, you know what the problem is."

"But you said that you've understood the consequences which would follow, and besides, you brought this unto yourself," Misaki said and then she took a sip on her cup. "You should be thankful, though; I am doing my best here to help you."

"I know."

"So please, endure a little more. You'll see her as who you really are," Misaki said to reassure him, "Besides, you saw how she cares for other people, so what more to you."

"That's right. She is kind-hearted, one of the things which I love about her."

"Setting that aside," Misaki said as she place her cup at the table, "You've brought it?"

Baron Patel dug out a sealed envelope from his breast pocket place it on the table before Misaki and said, "Everything you requested is right here."

Misaki took the envelope and opened it. She took a quick look, and now satisfied, smiled and said, "This will do. Now, do you have any request?"

"Yes," Baron Patel said, "Please give this to her." He handed Misaki a little dark blue box sealed with a silver ribbon. "My little 'reminder' of my past self."

"I understand."

-0-

It was still raining when the baron bid farewell to Misaki, but after walking a few yards away, an arm trapped him by his neck, and a hand in his mouth. He kept on struggling to break free, but in vain. The assailant led him in the field of grass ; the baron kept on struggling, and found an opportunity. He hit the man in the abdomen with his elbow, broke free and ran, but it was not a meter away when the aggressor caught him and thrust him down, with the baron's right side of his face in the muddy ground and a hand held on his back.

The attacker knelt beside the baron and then noticed in the baron's nape a scar which looked like a closed eye, in which he asked, "Where did you get this wound?"

From his left eye, Baron Patel could see that his enemy is a young man around his age, with golden hair and emerald eyes. And in reply, he said, "That doesn't do anything to you, am I right, Mr. Takumi Usui? Or should I address you as Earl Takumi Usui?"

"That is not appropriate now," Usui replied. "Now, answer: what were you doing inside Ms. Ayuzawa's house? And more importantly, who are you?"

"As for your first question, my lord, I have some business with Ms. Ayuzawa; for your second one, well, you could ask for Ms. Ayuzawa for that one. We are more than friends, but less than lovers."

Usui tightened his grip on the baron's hand, but was surprised when Baron Patel laughed, and then asked, "Then, let me ask you, Mr. Usui: who are you to Ms. Ayuzawa?"

"Why should I answer such a question?"

"Then what happens to Ms. Ayuzawa does not matter to you right? Since you have just met her recently, and probably didn't know everything about her, you share no significant bond with her..."

What the baron has said bothered Usui greatly. He has a point, after all; he had only met her a few months ago, and all he knew about her was that she is working as a waitress and a detective and a little bit of her past, and that was all. He longed for her to open up with him wholly, to gain her full trust and possibly more.

And because of what the man said, Usui let go of Baron Patel and stood up. The baron helped himself up and cleaned his face, turned and said, "I'll ask this once, Mr. Usui," and then he faced Usui again,

"What are you going to do about it?"

-0-

Usui walked towards the pavement at a snail's pace, nothing in mind but the question of Misaki's guest. As he reached the road he turned to his left, and there stood Misaki's house. He thought of visiting her, but was stopped when he saw Misaki enter with the gentleman. He stayed until the guest he saw the guest leave, and the rest followed.

As he was about to leave, he heard a voice, "It seems that another idiot played with the same idiot I saw earlier."

He turned towards the direction of the voice and saw Misaki standing by a window in the second floor. "You saw that one, didn't you?" he said.

Misaki smiled and said, "Since I feel a little merciful, why don't you stay here for a while?"

"Until the rain stops?"

"Yes," Misaki said, "It won't be long now."

-0-

They spent the time warming themselves in the parlour while waiting for the rain to stop. They sat on the floor a few feet from the fireplace, drinking hot cocoa. Misaki looked at her watch. It was already four in the afternoon.

"I apologize for bothering you, Ayuzawa," Usui said.

"Not really," Misaki answered. "I was really lonely, and luckily, you passed by..."

"You really know how to turn a man on, Ayuzawa," Usui teased.

Misaki forced a laugh and said, "I still feel merciful, Usui, if not I would have thrown you into the hearth." Usui laughed at her.

"By the way, I have questions..." Misaki said.

"And so have I" interrupted Usui as he set aside his cup.

"You first."

"Then, about the first idiot you saw, who was he?" Usui asked

"Ah, he is actually called Baron Mikhail Patel, an old friend of mine. His name is quite unusually, no?" Misaki said.

"Is that really his name?" Usui said in a soft voice

"What?"

"Ah, no, it's nothing. I am just thinking out loud."

"Then, my turn. It was three years ago, the year you were introduced by your uncle as his son, that you felt a gap between you and Emile, am I right?" Misaki asked.

"Yes. Why you asked something like that concerning your husband-to-be?"

Misaki ignored the question and continued, "Then, how could you say that Emile changed from that time on? What did you noticed?"

Usui thought for a while and said, "I just felt that he wasn't the same 'Emile' who had been my companion since I was a child. He had an undying loyalty to us and in return, we treated him and his father like family, just like the rest of the household. When his father died many years ago, uncle offered him financial aid for his studies which he gladly accepted, then, the year after that after my debut, he... well... you know..."

"I see." Then after drinking her cocoa to the last drop, she set her cup aside and said, "The rain has stopped."

"So it's time for me to go, eh?" Usui remarked. Then, he stood up and thanked Misaki for the drink. "I'll see you out," Misaki said, then accompanied him to the said their goodbyes and then Usui left.

"Bonds, huh?" Misaki said when Usui was out of sight, "Even time cannot tell whether you made one with another person." Then, she closed the door and went back to the parlour.

"Only the person himself could tell."

-0-

The day before the wedding, Misaki was visited again by Baron Patel to inform her that he will be returning for work back in London.

"I hope you can meet my sister there," Misaki said.

"Of course," Baron Patel said, "By the way, before I leave, may I ask: how do you feel now that you are getting married?"

"Really, now," Misaki said, "what kind of a question is that?"

"A question which requires an answer," he replied.

"Hmmm, what should a bride suppose to feel?"

"You will be tomorrow, and you don't know what you feel?"

Misaki thought for a while, and said, "I feel a bit victorious, though."

"What a weird feeling for a bride-to-be," Baron Patel remarked. "Then, I'll take my leave."

"How was it? Meeting him again..." Misaki asked.

The baron could only smile and replied, "He hasn't changed at all."

_END_

And here's a new chappie... :) I kinda thought that it's probably too late to introduce a new character, though...

oh, and...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY USUI-SAMA! 3

April 27, 2012

okay! Lovelots!

~otaku911/fan-chan